Oak Hill Observer

Hello, Wonderful Oak Hill Community! I hope everyone has had a delightful spring break, full of good things for your family! We're excited to welcome our students back into the building on Monday and look forward to hearing about their break and jumping back into learning. I wanted to highlight a few items in the Latest News Section :

• Registration for the 2023-2024 School Year
• AISD Early Learning Day (Orientation for incoming Kindergarteners and PK students)
• Improved Communications
• AISD Climate Surveys (Opening March 20)

As we do after every long break, we'll spend time this week reviewing and practicing routines and procedures to support a positive and productive learning environment for all. We're now officially in the time of year when time flies and there is much to do as we prepare our students for a strong last quarter of learning to ensure they're confident and ready for the next grade level! Strong learning systems are essential for making this happen. You can help by making sure your student(s) are on time for school (tardy bell rings at 7:40 am), have a good breakfast (breakfast is available at school from 7:00 -7:30 am), and get enough sleep. Together we can help our students have a happy fourth quarter, full of learning and fun!

It's going to be a great week at Oak Hill! Our 5th graders go to Camp Champion this week for 2 days of outdoor learning and team building. It's such a great time! Then we end the week with our school carnival on Friday from 5:30-8:00pm. We hope you can join us for food, games, and fun! Don't forget to check out the silent auction on line as well!

Thank you to everyone who has already registered for the 23-24 school year! If you haven't please do so. As always, please also read the calendar and Latest Information sections below - there's good information to know! Thank you for all of your support!

Your Proud Principal,

Lori Komassa

• March 20-24: AISD Pride Week 🏳️‍🌈

• March 20-21: Camp Champions- 5th grade
• March 24: CARNIVAL 5:30pm-8pm
• March 29: School Tour for prospective parents 3:30pm
• March 31: Holiday
• April 3-6: Spring Book Fair
• April 5: Early Learning Day (prospective PK & K students)
• April 5: PTA General Meeting 6:00-7:00pm

• April 15: AISD Career Fair

• April 18: STAAR Reading for 3rd-5th Grades

• April 19: School Tour for prospective parents 3:30pm

• April 25: STAAR Science for 5th Grade

• May 2: STAAR Math for 3rd-5th Grades

• May 23: Senior Walk 2:30pm

• May 24: 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony 8:30am

• May 25: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

OHE PTA’s Annual Auction will be LIVE from Wednesday, March 22 noon to Sunday, March 26 at 7pm!! Bid high and often!

There are over 200 items to bid on! We have a wide variety of options for everyone! Spas, hotels, camps, restaurants, sporting events, gyms, water parks, amazing teacher experiences, and more! Your child could win a pizza party, movie, extra recess, or even be principal for the day! All proceeds go to OHE PTA, one of the best PTA’s in Austin 💙🦅💛

It's Registration time for all our new incoming Kindergarteners and Pre-Kinder students! Please see the flyer below if your family has a student for our 23-24 Kindergarten or PK cohort. We want to make sure all of our incoming students are registered by the end of May! If you know of a neighborhood family with an incoming kindergarten student, who may not receive this newsletter, please share this information.

The PTA has heard your feedback and will be streamlining communication at OHE! We are excited to roll out our new communication platform, Konstella, which will allow you to receive communication from the PTA, the school, and your classroom(s) in one convenient place that can be accessed online or via a free mobile app. No more having to monitor multiple communication programs! Be on the lookout for more information on how to access the platform and how to set up your family's account after spring break. We think OHE families will love this new program. To see what the platform looks like, you can check out konstella.com.

The Spring Student, Staff, and Family climate surveys will go live on Monday, March 20th. The survey window will remain open through Friday, April 14th. Surveys will be available online and can easily be accessed by computer, phone, and screen readers.

Students in 3rd - 6th grades will take the climate survey at school.

Dear families,

It's almost time for our spring Book Fair! Students and families are invited to shop our Scholastic Book Fair April 3 – April 6 at the Oak Hill Elementary Library. Please visit our Book Fair Homepage to get the latest Book Fair news, shop our Online Fair, and more!

Questions can be directed to Laz Camarillo, Oak Hill Librarian at lazaro.camarillo@austinisd.org.

All emerging bilingual students in preK and Kinder are invited to participate in a summer learning opportunity! Please click the button below to learn more and to register your student.

Between March 30 and April 10, Austin ISD will honor Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, two of the most significant leaders in the American farmworker’s movement through lessons and participation in community events.

Austin ISD will also participate in the Annual ¡Sí Se Puede! César Chávez March & Day of Action! Saturday, March 25, at Parque Zaragoza, 2608 Gonzales St., Austin, TX 78702.

Students, families and staff are invited to march along with the Crockett ECHS Marching Band and TexAnns Dance Team, Eastside ECHS Marching Band and the Martin MS Band.

Austin ISD participants should meet no later than 9:30 a.m. The march will begin at 10 a.m. and will end at approximately 10:30 a.m.

Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen and to bring water.

Have a budding artist? Here is an after school opportunity for students to learn to draw or improve their drawing skills. This class will work on the creation of characters, color theory and the study of forms. You can register using the form below.

https://forms.gle/5mr88dWEERV1foU97

Click on the flyer above to access the registration form.

We need your thoughtful and candid input into this process in order to ensure that the voice of our community is part of our search to find the best superintendent for our district. Share your thoughts by completing the Superintendent Profile Survey by Wednesday, March 15.

High school seniors in AISD who attended Oak Hill Elementary are eligible to apply for a $500 scholarship from the Oak Hill Elementary PTA. Three scholarships will be awarded. The scholarship announcement with all requirements is posted on Naviance. All applications should be emailed in one PDF to scholarship@ohepta.org or delivered to the Oak Hill Elementary Office by 5 pm on Friday, April 7th. Scholarship recipients will be announced by May 5, 2023.

Every year, to honor the experiences and contributions of LGBTQIA+ students, staff and families, Austin ISD hosts its own Pride Week. This is a time to highlight the district's commitment to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment. This year’s Austin ISD Pride Week will take place March 20–25, 2023 to align with National LGBT Health Awareness Week.

In Elementary, Pride Week means…

• All are welcome.
• Everyone should be able to be who they are.
• Differences are awesome!
• Love makes a family.

We Listen Without Judgement

• If a child wants to discuss LGBTQ+ identity, listen with an open mind. Listening without judgement provides them with a safe space to express themselves. As adults, it is our responsibility to use a positive attitude rather than discriminatory stereotypes.

Each campus will receive a guide of suggested activities and resources for PRIDE Week. Campuses are encouraged to coordinate activities that engage, educate and inspire.

Pride Swag—On March 20 and 21, students may visit the front office to pick up Pride and Ally stickers, posters, flags, pronoun buttons and more!

Austin ISD Pride Week Themes

• Monday, March 20 - All Are Welcome
• Tuesday, March 21 - Differences are Awesome
• Wednesday, March 22 - Austin ISD Shows Respect
• Thursday, March 23 - Pride and You - Creative Expression
• Friday, March 24 - Local Pride and Spirit Day
• Saturday, March 25 - Pride Y'all! Connect and Celebrate
  5 p.m.–9 p.m. - Austin ISD Performing Arts Center

• Brain Breaks (Compassion, Be a Good Friend,Be an Upstander, Rainbow Breathing, Kind Wishes)

• Daily morning announcements

• One day during week 3-5 No Name Calling Week Activity NNCW-Poetic-Reactions.pdf

• One day during week K-2 Video of Book Say Something by Peter Reynolds

• One day during week K-2 Video of Book You Matter by Chris Robinson

Like any other campus activities, if you would like for your child to opt-out of these activities, please follow our campus procedure instructions listed below:

• Email your child's teacher to let them know you wish for your child to opt-out

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mayra Rosales, Counselor.

WHO: Current K or 1st grade students

*If you are a current 2nd grader, please see your teacher for recommendation.

WHAT: Literacy camp providing hands-on, multi-sensory, and researched based activities. This program helps students build necessary phonics and phonemic awareness skills to improve reading knowledge helping them be successful learners.

WHEN: Session 1: June 5th-8th, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am-12:00 pm

Session 2: June 12-15th, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am-12:00 pm

WHERE: Oak Hill Elementary

COST: $200 per child per week.

All materials needed will be provided in the class, including a snack.

If you are interested and wish to have your child participate please sign up below. If you would like more information please email: emily.kittredge@austinisd.org or renae.hernandez@austinisd.org

Payment Methods: Cash or check made out in full to Renae Hernandez. Payment due on or before first day of session.

Click HERE to sign up!

The Annual AISD Summer Theatre Series will be offered this year at the AISD Performing Arts Center. Please share information with teachers and students.

Students of all experience levels are welcome to shine on stage during the free Summer Theatre Series program. Current 5th through 12th graders in Austin ISD are invited to try out for the program’s summer series.

The program dates are: June 5, 2023 through July 24, 2023. The Summer Theatre Series will feature Mary Poppins as the musical production, Treasure Island as the black box studio production, and the Summer Theatre Series Rising Stars program—a one-week educational theatre camp that offers workshops in acting, dance, and voice.

Students interested in participating must register and submit video auditions to the STS Blend course by March 21, 2023.

Link to registration, audition, rehearsal, and performance information: https://www.austinisd.org/arts

Please contact Jessica Champion at Jessica.champion@austinisd.org with any questions you may have.

WHO: Previous school year Kindergarten-5th Grade OakHill Students, Coach Parra & Ms. Rettig!
WHAT: CREATE exciting art projects, PLAY awesome games, EXPLORE indoor and outdoor activities, and HAVE FUN with your OakHill friends!
WHEN: Session 1: July 10-13, 9:00-12:00; Session 2: July 10-13, 1:00-4:00; Session 3: July 17-20, 9:00-12:00; Session 4: July 17-20, 1:00-4:00
WHERE: OakHill Elementary
COST: $200 per child per week. Price includes all materials, and a t-shirt. Children should bring a packed snack each day. Coach Parra and I will be around during that hour for lunch if you just wanna spend all day with us and sign up for both morning and afternoon sessions- Just pack a lunch :)
Venmo @JoLynn-Rettig or Check Payable to JoLynn Rettig
*You may reserve a spot with a $50 deposit.

Click on link to sign up:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyAmlb_Aw2ZYWCWQ0kjdIESzAx_I9R9itO4t9bBHFia2cwOQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

QUIEN: Estudiantes de Oak Hill de Kindergarten a 5to grado del año escolar anterior, Entrenador Parra & Ms. Rettig!
QUE: CREAR proyectos de arte emocionantes, JUGAR juegos impresionantes, EXPLORAR actividades de interior y al aire libre, y DIVERTIRSE con sus amigos de Oak Hill!
CUANDO: Sesión 1: Julio 10-13, 9:00-12:00; Sesión 2: Julio 10-13, 1:00-4:00; Sesión 3: Julio 17-20, 9:00-12:00; Sesión 4: Julio 17-20, 1:00-4:00
DÓNDE: Oak Hill Elementary
COSTO: $200 por niño por semana - El precio incluye todos los materiales, y una camiseta. Los niños deben traer un bocadillo cada día. Entrenador Parra y yo estaremos alrededor durante esa hora para el almuerzo si quieres pasar todo el día con nosotros y se inscriben para las dos sesiones de la mañana y la tarde (Sólo empacar un almuerzo para usted:)
Venmo @JoLynn-Rettig o Cheque a nombre de JoLynn Rettig
*Puedes reservar un lugar con un depósito de $50 o puedes pagar ahora.

Haga clic en el enlace para suspirar para arriba:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyAmlb_Aw2ZYWCWQ0kjdIESzAx_I9R9itO4t9bBHFia2cwOQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Honesty is the SEL Trait for the month of March. Here are some ideas, which will assist you with helping your child to understand the importance of honesty. Honesty is taking responsibility for one’s conduct and obligations, and being loyal so people can trust you. People who are honest have integrity and the moral courage to do the right thing and to stand up for their beliefs even when it is difficult to do so. We ask that you continue to encourage honesty with your child.

Fast food is a fact of life. But you can teach your kids to make healthier choices at fast food restaurants.

Be a CATCH MVP. Next time you visit your favorite fast-food restaurant, Eat Smart and follow these healthy tips:

• GO for grilled, baked or broiled foods most often.

• Say “NO” to French fries (WHOA foods) or share an order with your family.

• Order a side salad instead of fries. Go SLOW on the salad dressing. It is probably a WHOA food.

April 18: STAAR Reading- Grades 3,4,5

April 19: STAAR Reading Make-ups- Grades 3,4,5

April 25: STAAR Science- Grade 5

April 26: STAAR Science Make-ups- Grade 5

May 2: STAAR Math- Grades 3,4,5

May 3: STAAR Math Make-ups- Grades 3,4,5

*Please note that the campus will be closed to visitors and volunteers on this date.

Due to technical difficulties, the online registration for the 22-23 school year and the 23-24 school year will now open concurrently starting January 16th. Out of district families will also be able to register online.

Here are the important links for these two activities:

1. Enrollment landing page: https://www.austinisd.org/enroll

2. Important dates and deadlines: https://www.austinisd.org/transfer/dates-deadlines

3. For questions, please use the districts Let’s Talk https://www.austinisd.org/letstalk and click on “Student Services: Enrollment, Records, & Transfers” (See image below.)

We wanted to alert you of an upcoming closure that will alter traffic patterns along eastbound US 290 from Joe Tanner Lane to Monterey Oaks Boulevard, resulting in changes to how drivers and buses traveling from the west will access Oak Hill Elementary School.

As early as the week of March 20th, the US 290 eastbound frontage road from Joe Tanner Lane to Old Fredericksburg Road will close for six months.

• In order to access Oak Hill Elementary School off the westbound US 290 frontage road from eastbound US 290 during this time, drivers and buses will follow the eastbound main lanes and take the Monterey Oaks Boulevard exit.
• Once at Monterey Oaks Boulevard, drivers and buses will make a U-turn to access the US 290 westbound frontage road and Patton Ranch Road.

As early as the week of March 27th, the eastbound US 290 main lanes in this same area will close and eastbound traffic will be shifted next to the existing westbound US 290 lanes. Two travel lanes on the US 290 main lanes will remain open in each direction during this six-month period.

• Once the eastbound US 290 main lanes close, eastbound drivers and buses will follow the lane shifts and use a temporary crossover just past the Old Fredericksburg Road bridge in order to get back on the regular US 290 eastbound main lanes.
• Drivers and buses can then take the Monterey Oaks Boulevard exit and make a U-turn to access the westbound US 290 frontage road and Patton Ranch Road.

Detour maps are attached that show the alternate routes. Thank you for your patience and understanding during construction.

As we prepare for the FY2024 Budget year, please join us in conversations about Austin ISD’s 2023-24 budget. There will be several occurrences between January and May to attend. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the district's priorities, plans for staffing and programming, and how you can get involved in the budgeting process with your campus.

An updated calendar is available at https://www.austinisd.org/budget

March Cafeteria Menu

Families, community members, and staff are invited to attend the upcoming Power Hour learning opportunities hosted by the Austin ISD Special Education Department.

Dan St. Romain, a national education consultant with roots in special education support and development, will be presenting virtually on goal setting and positive behavior supports. These are two different sessions in February and March, which are repeated with lunchtime and evening virtual offerings. Interpretation services will be provided.

Date: March 30, 2023

• Due to space, participation is limited to the first 50 parents to sign up.
• Parents need to sign up HERE by noon the Thursday before.
• Once the form reaches 50 people, it will no longer accept responses.
• The next 3 Fridays are listed for now and we will add additional dates for the spring semester.
• Parents must enter the building through the front door only AT ALL TIMES.
• We ask that each parent that is attending sign up and assembly is limited to PARENTS only at this time.
• Please make sure you are able to attend if you sign up so as not to take that spot from someone else.
• Parents can only stand in the back of the assembly due to space concerns. Please do not sit in the line with your child.
• Please model appropriate assembly conduct for students by not having side conversations.

If you are able to sign up, the office will pre-print a badge for you and you can pick it up on the front porch beginning at 7:20. If you have not been on campus this year, you will need to check in at the main office with your ID before assembly to get your badge.

We will continue to add dates to this form, so you can use the same link (above) to sign up for future dates. Thank you for following the rules of the campus to make sure things run smoothly and everyone stays safe. We appreciate you!

Please remember to bring your ID with you EVERY time you visit campus. It is a requirement that we scan in your ID each time you come onto the campus. We appreciate you helping us to follow the procedures and keep our students safe!

Hi 5th grade families!

This will be a one stop shop for all middle school information. We will update it as we receive new information from middle schools, so keep checking back periodically. Middle School Information 2022-2023

Website: www.oakhillelementary.org
Location: 6101 Patton Ranch Road, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-414-2336
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakHillElementary/
Twitter: @OakHillElem